The New Westminster Salmonbellies extended their winning streak to four games with a 13-8 win over the Burnaby Lakers on Thursday night at Queen’s Park Arena.
Burnaby held a 2-1 lead after the first period. However, New Westminster battled back to outscore the Lakers 7-5 in the second frame and take the lead. The Salmonbellies then pulled away with a five-goal third period.
Haiden Dickson led the Salmonbellies with four goals and two assists for a six-point night, while Tyler Pace finished with two goals and three assists. Will Malcom also recorded a hat trick.
Justin Geddie got the start in goal for New Westminster and stopped 42 of 50 shots for the win.
For the Lakers, Ben McDonald had two goals and two assists for a four-point night, while Sam La Roue added two goals and an assist. Keegan Melenychuk kept Burnaby competitive, stopping 44 of 57 shots in the loss.
Burnaby Takes an Early Lead
It didn’t take long for the Lakers to make a statement. McDonald found the back of the net 1:57 into the first period to draw first blood.
The Salmonbellies answered as Pace scored on the power play at 4:41 to tie it up.
La Roue put Burnaby ahead 2-1 on the power play with 6:17 remaining in the first period.
Salmonbellies Battle Back
La Roue struck again to open the second period at 1:15, making it 3-1. Thomas Vela added a goal just 40 seconds later to cap off a three-goal run for the Lakers.
New Westminster responded with a three-goal run of their own, all sparked by Haiden Dickson. He scored on the power play at 3:14 to make it 4-2, then added another at 8:42 to cut the deficit to one.
The Salmonbellies tied it just 13 seconds later, when Mitch Jones converted off a feed from Dickson to make it 4-4.
Burnaby regained the lead at 9:48, with Joel McCormick scoring off a La Roue assist.
However, a two-goal run by the Salmonbellies put them in front. Pace scored off a Brandon Goodwin assist at 10:35, followed by a shorthanded goal from Will Malcom at 13:08 to make it 6-5.
Burnaby responded with a pair of power play goals—Silas Richmond scored at 13:49, and Ben Stewart added another at 15:17—to take a 7-6 lead.
But New Westminster finished the second strong. Dickson scored with 3:41 left in the period, and Ryan Martel added another with 1:19 remaining, giving the Salmonbellies an 8-7 lead heading into the third.
New Westminster Win Streak Extended To Four Games
Will Malcom opened third-period scoring at 1:19, extending the Salmonbellies’ lead and completing a three-goal run.
McDonald scored at 2:27 for Burnaby, but the Lakers were held scoreless for the rest of the game to extend the win streak to four games.
Dickson made it a two-goal lead again at 4:13. Mitch Jones followed at 6:00 to make it 11-8.
Malcom completed his hat trick at 7:56, and Preston Lupul sealed the win with a goal at 17:42.
The Salmonbellies extended their winning streak to four games with the 13-8 victory.
Haiden Dickson spoke to Jake Elliot following the game:
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Haiden Dickson: 4g, 2a
- Tyler Pace: 2g, 3a
- Mitch Jones: 2g, 2a
- Ryan Martel: 1g, 3a
Burnaby Lakers
- Ben McDonald: 2g, 2a
- Sam La Roue: 2g, 1a
- Ben Stewart: 1g, 2a
- Silas Richmond: 1g, 2a
- Thomas Vela: 1g, 2a
Three Stars
- Haiden Dickson – New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Keegan Melenychuk – Burnaby Lakers
- Tyler Pace – New Westminster Salmonbellies
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